Today is a day for repentance. Christian people are beginning to understand that because of the increasing spiritual darkness we must have a visitation of the Lord, and that such a revival of God's Presence and blessing will come only as we get on our face before God, confessing our sins and renewing our vows to the Lord.

In actuality our theology works against repentance. If God sees us only through the Lord Jesus, if our salvation has nothing to do with works of righteousness, such as praying and repenting, but rests entirely on our identification with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, then of what is there a need to repent? We are adding our "filthy works" to Christ's perfect righteousness.

We think it is true that in our time God's people indeed will repent and obey God and that an unprecedented revival will follow their actions. But how much more effective would the call to repentance be if the modern concept of "grace" (which is not Divine grace at all but the major delusion of the last days) were removed from us and we understood that the believer begins to please God only as he or she chooses to be the servant of righteousness.

Speaking to Christians:

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:12,13)

Our righteous behavior begins as we strive, with God's help, to obey the admonitions of the Apostles. As we obey the written Word, Christ is formed in us. As Christ is formed in us we begin to behave righteously. When Christ is in us there is a new creation that practices righteousness. The end of the process is a person in the image of Christ—that to which we have been predestined.

Please keep in mind, as you read further, that God has the power to remove any sin you practice, any bad habit that binds you, any form of disobedience or rebellion against God's will. God has the power. God made the galaxies of stars. He has the power to change you from the image of Adam to the image of Christ.

God is waiting for you to look to Him so He may begin the program of transforming you into His image. Believe His promises and they shall take place in your personality.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Righteousness, that is, righteous behavior, may very well be the main topic of the entire Bible—Old and New Testaments.

Isaiah tells us that the nations are waiting to see a righteous Church so they can glorify God.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)

And the Gentiles [nations] shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. (Isaiah 62:2)

To be continued.